Extensive compressor reviews and FAQ

the Compression FAQ: what is a compressor and how do you use it?


Click here for my top picks, including the best cheap options. I'm working on a new system for easily comparing the various choices, but it will take some time.


ABCDE to FG to JK to PQ to ST to Z

Last updated April 20, 2013

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• Reviews:
3Leaf Audio PWNZOR
ADK CLA-1
Aguilar TLC
Akai Professional
Alesis 3630
Alesis 3632
Alesis Micro Limiter
Alesis NanoCompressor
Alesis Smashup
Analogman Bi-Comprossor
Aphex Punch Factory
Aphex 320A "Compellor"
Aphex 651
Aphex 661 "Expressor"
Aphex 720 "Dominator II"
Arion SCO-1
ART Levelar
ART MDM-8L (8-channel limiter)
ART SC2 (CS2)
ART Tube PAC
Ashdown dual-band
Ashly CL 100
Ashly DPX 200 (CLX 52/51)
Ashly SC-50
Audio Arts 1200
Barber Tone Press
   updated review!
Barge Concepts RC-2
BBE MaxCom
BBE Opto Stomp
BBE Orange Squash
   (AKA Main Squeeze)
Behringer BLE100
Behringer DC9
Behringer MDX1600
   "Autocom Pro-XL"
Bellari LA120
Beta Aivin CS-100
Biyang CO-8 UPDATED
BJFE Pine Green
Blackbox Oxygen
Boss CL-50 Pro
Boss CS-1
Boss CS-2
Boss CS-3
   (both stock and modded)
Boss GT-6B
Boss LM-2B
Boss LMB-3 NEW UPDATE!
BYOC 5-knob
BYOC Optical
CAD CGM-2 "Champ"
CAE V-Comp
Carl Martin Classic Opto
Carl Martin Comp Limiter
Carvin CG200
Celmo Sardine Can

PLEASE read the FAQ.
   SERIOUSLY. Read the FAQ
   BEFORE buying anything!!!
Dan Armstrong Orange Squeezer
   ('08 Grafton reissue)
Danelectro Surf & Turf
Daphon E20CM
Daring Audio Phat Beam
dbx 163X
dbx 160A
dbx 160XT (160X)
dbx 166, 166A, 166XL
Updated 3-way comparison!
dbx 1066
dbx 266XL
an explanation of dbx's
   number/name system
Ddyna Bass^10
Dedalo Gorila
Demeter Compulator
Demeter Compulator PRO
DHA VT-1 bass comp
Diamond CPR-1
Diamond BCP-1
Digitech Bass Squeeze
"Dirty" compressors
   (distortion, fur, grind)
DOD 280 (gray & orange)
DOD FX82
DOD FX84 Milk Box
Drawmer MX-30
Durham Sex Drive
EBS MultiComp
Eden WTDI
Effectrode PC-2A
Electro-Harmonix Bass Metaphors
EHX Black Finger
EHX Soul Preacher (Nano)
EHX White Finger (old version)
EHX White Finger
   (later "XO" version)
EMMA TransMORGrifier
Empirical Labs EL8-X "Distressor"
Empress Comp
Exar BC04
FEA DE-CL
FEA Dual-Band
   (SMX and Limiter versions)
FEA Opti-FET
FMR PBC-6A
FMR RNC
FMR RNLA
   updated review!
Focusrite Bass Factory
Frantone Sandwich
Frantone Sputnik
Fromel Velvet Vice
Furman LC-3
FX Engineering Mirage
G-Lab BC-1
GFS Sweet Sparkle
GLX / Harley Benton CS-100
Golden Age Comp-54
Guyatone BL2 "Bottom Limiter"
Guyatone SD2
Guyatone ST2
Guyatone TCX "Flip"
Henretta Orange Whip
Ibanez BP5
Ibanez CP9 (1980's)
Ibanez Tube King
Ibanez UE 303B
ISP Beta Bass (preamp)
Jacques Fat Burner
JangleBox
JBL/Urei 7110
JHS Lime Aid
Joemeek Floor-Q
Joemeek MC2 (later version)
Joemeek VC6 (the Meekbox)

Keeley
Line6 Bass Pod XT Live
Line6 Constrictor
Line6 M13
Mad Professor Forest Green
Malekko Comp
Markbass Compressore
Mars Comp King Bass
Marshall ED-1
Maxon CP101
Maxon CP9 Pro+
Maxon RCP660
Menatone J.A.C
Moen Uni-Comp
Morley VCO
MXR DynaComp
MXR M87 Bass Comp
MXR Limiter (1980, red, AC cord)
MXR Dual Limiter
OKKO Coca Comp
Old World Audio 1960
Orange Squeezer clones
Origin Effects Cali76
Pedal Doctor Tangerine Squeeze
Phil Jones Bass Buddy
Pigtronix Philosopher's Tone
Pigtronix PT Germanium Gold
Pigtronix PT Bass & Rock
PreSonus BlueMax
PreSonus Comp16
Radio Design Labs ST-CL1
Rane DC 24
Retro-Sonic Vintage Vibes
Retrospec Squeeze Box
Rocktron Big Crush
Rocktron Blue Thunder
Roland AS-1 Sustainer
Rolls GLC (CL151)
Ross clones
Rothwell Love Squeeze
Sabine NEX-5400
Safe Sound P1
Samson C-Com Opto
Seymour Duncan Double Back
Strymon OB-1
Summit Audio TLA-50
Symetrix 501
Symetrix CL-150
T.C.Electronic C300
T.C.Electronic Nova Dynamics
T.C.Elec Sustain+Para EQ
   (old original version)
T.C.Elec Sustain+Para EQ
   (later reissue)
T.C.Elec Vintage Comp
T-Rex Comp-Nova
T-Rex Squeezer New update!
Taurus Tux Black
Taurus Tux Silver
Tech 21 Bass Compactor
Tech 21 CompTORTION
Telenordia TK-23 Kompressor
Toadworks Mr. Squishy
Tone Factor Pulp Mill
Trace Elliot SMX
Tube (valve) compressors
Universal Audio 1176LN
Valley People Dyna-Mite
VFE White Horse
Visual Sound Comp 66
Vox Snake Charmer
VTP Citrus Squeeze
• Wampler Ego COMING SOON
Wholenote BLM-270
Wholenote E20CM
Yamaha Magicstomp
Zoom B2
 

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